Water Initiative

Expand Access to Clean Water

The World Health Organization has identified contaminated water as the third highest risk factor for preventable death and disease. A majority of the water in Kenya is seriously contaminated from animal and human waste, heavy deposits of minerals/metals and pollution from industry, mining or large farming enterprises.

In Kenya, only 40% of the population has access to clean water all year round. Many take their water from the nearby rivers and streams; those in the urban area have intermittent water supply from their pipes. More typically, Kenyans must walk two to three hours a day for uncontaminated water, or pay exorbitant fees for bottled water. Many are forced to use run-off from roads and sewers.

Forte's Well

To address the need for clean water, Mercy Center Foundation, USA (MCF USA) constructed a 600-foot deep well on our site. Forte's Well, named for our co-founder and benefactor of the well, Mr. Albert Forte, now serves over 500 families a day during the four-month dry season. A small committee oversees well maintenance. Villagers pay a small fee to support well maintenance and purchase diesel fuel for the pump generator. Construction of a water kiosk on the perimeter of our property expands access to pristine water from Forte’s Well. As of today, the well has served 35,000 people in the Rift Valley and it provides the cleanest and most abundant water in the region.

MCF USA recognizes that while the installation of the well is a tremendous accomplishment, its pristine water only benefits about 2,500 people who reside in the immediate vicinity. Thus, a key component of the clean water project will be to identify and expand alternative access to water sources in the village of Lare, Nakuru county and the Greater Rift Valley.

Volunteer Opportunities

MCF USA is seeking partnerships in order to construct additional wells and explore relationships with organizations that implement new water purification, recycling and filtration systems for similar remote locations. We seek to cooperate with all individuals and organizations that desire to share their expertise and resources to help us with clean water initiatives.